If you like this, try…
Wines like Grillo
A Sicilian white with good acidity and body, originally bred for Marsala and now a leading dry white. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
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What do you like about Grillo?
Optional — the results below already work without it. But “I like Malbec” is at least four different preferences wearing one name, and saying which one you mean changes the answer substantially. Only qualities this wine actually has are offered.
What these words mean
- The tropical fruit
- Passionfruit, mango, pineapple, guava. It comes from riper fruit and warmer sites, and it is the difference between Marlborough and Sancerre in the same grape.
- How full and weighty it is
- Body is how much the wine seems to fill your mouth — the difference between skimmed and whole milk. It comes mostly from alcohol and ripeness.
- How light it is
- A wine you can drink without it feeling like a commitment. Usually lower in alcohol as well as lighter in the mouth.
- That it is not oaky
- No barrel character — just the fruit and the acidity. Chablis and Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc are the reference points.
- How aromatic it is
- Some grapes announce themselves from across the room — Gewürztraminer, Muscat, Sauvignon Blanc. Others are far quieter, and quiet is not the same as dull.
- That it is properly dry
- No perceptible sugar at all. Almost all red wine is dry and a good deal of white wine is not, which is why this is a more useful thing to say about a white than about a red.
Looking for something moving away from too perfumed and too tropical or sweet-smelling.
Based on what you said
Ranked against the qualities you named rather than against the wine as a whole. The directions below are refined the same way.
Vermentino
curatedBoth are saline, citrusy Mediterranean whites.
- Substantially less perfumed.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
Trebbiano d’Abruzzo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less perfumed.
- Substantially less tropical or sweet-smelling.
Vernaccia di San Gimignano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less perfumed.
- Substantially less tropical or sweet-smelling.
Pinot Grigio
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less perfumed.
- Substantially less tropical or sweet-smelling.
Catarratto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less perfumed.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
Trebbiano Abruzzese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less perfumed.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
Friulano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less perfumed.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
Trebbiano di Soave
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less perfumed.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Vermentino
curatedBoth are saline, citrusy Mediterranean whites.
Expect: More herbal and lighter.
Trebbiano d’Abruzzo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more oaky.
Vernaccia di San Gimignano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more oaky.
Pinot Grigio
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and lighter.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Vermentino
curatedBoth are saline, citrusy Mediterranean whites.
Expect: More herbal and lighter.
Trebbiano d’Abruzzo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more oaky.
Vernaccia di San Gimignano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more oaky.
Pinot Grigio
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and lighter.
Change the structure
Same idea, different weight, grip or freshness.
Similar but lighter
Keeps the character but reduces weight, alcohol and density in the mouth.
Cortese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and fresher and more acidic.
Gavi
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and fresher and more acidic.
Pinot Grigio
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and leaner and more cutting.
Roditis
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven.
Similar but lower in alcohol
Holds the character and the weight where it can, and moves specifically on strength. Note that below about 11% the choices narrow sharply, and below 5% they are mostly a different category rather than a lighter version of the same one.
Colombard
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and lighter in alcohol.
Alpine white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and lighter in alcohol.
Seyval Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and sweeter.
Hunter Valley Semillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Douro white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky.
Encruzado
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky.
Friuli white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more savoury.
Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and spicier.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Nothing in WineHQ's catalogue makes this move meaningfully from here. These are the closest wines otherwise, but do not expect them to deliver what you asked for — the honest answer is that this style does not have a good neighbour in that direction.
Friulano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more savoury.
Verdicchio
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Grechetto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Xarel·lo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Rkatsiteli
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Tsolikouri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol.
Friuli white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fuller and richer.
Albana
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more fruit-driven.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Cortese
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more neutral and subtle.
Gavi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more neutral and subtle.
Trebbiano Spoletino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and lighter in alcohol.
Carricante
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more savoury.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Auxerrois
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more fruit-driven.
Franken Silvaner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more neutral and subtle.
Arneis
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more floral.
Silvaner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more neutral and subtle.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Cava
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more sparkling, and earthier.
Glera
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more floral.
Crémant
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more sparkling.
English sparkling wine
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more sparkling.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Albana
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more fruit-driven.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and sweeter.
Welschriesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more floral.
Trebbiano Toscano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more restrained in fruit.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and spicier.
Friuli white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more savoury.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and sweeter.
White Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and fuller and richer.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Torrontés
Torrontés scores closest to Grillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Scheurebe
Scheurebe scores closest to Grillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Moschofilero
Moschofilero scores closest to Grillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Mantinia Moschofilero
Mantinia Moschofilero scores closest to Grillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Vermentino
curatedBoth are saline, citrusy Mediterranean whites.
Expect: More herbal and lighter.
Trebbiano d’Abruzzo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more oaky.
Vernaccia di San Gimignano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more oaky.
Catarratto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Soave
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and lighter in alcohol.
Garganega
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more oaky.
Parellada
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Welschriesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more fruit-driven.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Savennières
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more oaky.
Franken Silvaner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and softer and rounder.
Friulano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Friuli white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fuller and richer.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Pedro Ximénez
Pedro Ximénez scores closest to Grillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and softer and rounder.
Petit Manseng
Petit Manseng scores closest to Grillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more aromatic.
Spätlese
Spätlese scores closest to Grillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more aromatic.
Coteaux du Layon
Coteaux du Layon scores closest to Grillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more aromatic.
Change the place
Keep the grape, move it somewhere else.
Same grape, warmer climate
Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.
Change the mood
Safer, stranger, cheaper or more serious.
A safe next step
Well-known wines that are widely available and unlikely to surprise anyone.
Pinot Grigio
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and lighter.
Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fuller and richer.
White Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and spicier.
Grüner Veltliner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and more herbal and green.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Trebbiano d’Abruzzo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more oaky.
Vernaccia di San Gimignano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more oaky.
Vermentino
curatedThe structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and more oaky.
Catarratto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol.
A better-value alternative
Wines that occupy similar sensory territory from regions carrying less price premium. WineHQ does not hold live prices, so this reasons from regional reputation and demand rather than from a price feed — treat it as a lead, not a quote.
Vermentino
curatedBoth are saline, citrusy Mediterranean whites.
Expect: More herbal and lighter.
Trebbiano d’Abruzzo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more oaky.
Vernaccia di San Gimignano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more oaky.
Catarratto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
White Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and spicier.
Santorini Assyrtiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fuller and richer.
Australian Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more oaky.
Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fuller and richer.
Each suggestion is scored across sixteen taste dimensions, weighted so that structure matters more than flavour, and adjusted for whether the wine actually moves in the direction you asked for. Curated links from an editor carry extra weight — but only when the editor tagged them for this direction. Nothing here is a black box; see the taste model for the full method.